Game apparatus with spinnable target

ABSTRACT

An amusement game apparatus called &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Whirler-Twirler&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; designed for playing two different games, (1) a Twirler or Spinner Rod Game, and (2) a Toy Ten Pin or Duck Pin Bowling Game. The players manually activate a pivotal shooter having a magazine loaded with small balls or marbles which are ejected and directed at spinner rods, or bowling pins for bowling game play. When a player&#39;&#39;s ball hits the lower area of his spinning rod, the rod twirls on a centrally located threaded shaft toward the player&#39;&#39;s goal positioned at the right side of the shaft adjacent to the shaft support. If a player&#39;&#39;s ball hits the lower area of his opponent&#39;&#39;s spinning rod, such rod twirls in a direction further from his opponent&#39;&#39;s goal. When a player, by shooting action, hits and moves his spinning rod to the furthest point of movement, where the spinning rod makes contact with the side shaft support, a light or buzzer is activated which signifies he is the winner of the game. For bowling game play, the shaft, with the spinner rods thereon, is removed, and the bowling pins are spotted in the deck indentations outlining the pin-spotting layout located at one end of the body structure. The shooter located at the opposite end of the body structure is then activated and the balls are ejected and directed at the bowling pins, one at a time, as in regular bowling play. The number of balls rolled per player per frame and the related scoring are those applicable to regulation &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Ten Pin&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; or &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Duck Pin&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; bowling, whichever is selected for play.

United States Patent [1 Parks, deceased et a1.

[ GAME APPARATUS WITH SPINNABLE TARGET [76] Inventors: Lloyd Parks.deceased, late of Arlington, Va.; Dwight C. Brown, 5712 N. 20th St.,Arlington, Va. 22206 [22] Filed: May 8, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 358,367

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,544,452 6/1925 Haner 1273/86 G 1,650,029 11/1927 Morton... 273/127 D 1,748,030 2/1930 Wetzell273/119 R 2,678,215 5/1954 Peterson et a1... 273/119 R 2,765,171 lO/1965Cook 273/30 2,946,590 7/1960 Brunet 273/37 Primary Examiner Anton O.Oechsle Attorney, Agent, or FirmWigman & Cohen [57] ABSTRACT Anamusement game apparatus called Whirler- Aug. 12, 1975 Twirler designedfor playing two different games, l) a Twirler or Spinner Rod Game, and(2) a Toy Ten Pin or Duck Pin Bowling Game. The players manuallyactivate a pivotal shooter having a magazine loaded with small balls ormarbles which are ejected and directed at spinner rods, or bowling pinsfor bowling game play. When a players ball hits the lower area of hisspinning rod, the rod twirls on a centrally located threaded shafttoward the players goal positioned at the right side of the shaftadjacent to the shaft support. If a players ball hits the lower area ofhis opponents spinning rod, such rod twirls in a direction further fromhis opponents goal. When a player, by shooting action, hits and moveshis spinning rod to the furthest point of movement, where the spinningrodmakes contact with the side shaft support, a light or buzzer isactivated which signifies he is the winner of the game.

For bowling game play, the shaft, with the spinner rods thereon, isremoved, and the bowling pins are spotted in the deck indentationsoutlining the pin-spotting layout located at one end of the bodystructure. The shooter located at the opposite end of the body structureis then activated and the balls are ejected and directed at the bowlingpins, one at a time, as in regular bowling play. The number of ballsrolled per player per frame and the related scoring are those applicableto regulation Ten Pin or Duck Pin bowling, whichever is selected forplay.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures SHEET PATENTED AUG 1 21975 1 w .l v I I 4 mwN NQ Nw mm W 7 Q g 1 m H 4 w i. N w I 4. e r um W fi 3N, Q

1 GAME APPARATUS WITH SPINNABLE TARGET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to a game apparatus which can be used to play twodifferent types of amusement games that involve shooting or rolling ofballs toward targets which consist of revolving spinner rods or min-'iature bowling pins. 7

The novel and improved shooting mechanism incorporated in this gameapparatus provides continuous shooting action. The shooting mechanismincludes a magazine for holding a plurality of balls and a simple,fast-cocking trigger-release feature designed around a rotating camcomponent having mechanical spring power. The shooting mechanism ismanually controlled by the turning of a crank handle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Many of the shooter mechanisms used invarious types of table action games and toy guns now on the marketrequire separate manual action for moving a ball or projectile inposition for shooting, cocking the shooter, and triggering the mechanismfor release of the ball or projectile used. Such is in contrast to thisinvention which discloses an automatic type of shooter mechanism thatrequires only a 360 turn of a crank handle for providing the cocking andtrigger-release action and simultaneously moves an additional ball fromthe magazine into the shooter chamber.

In addition to use in the two types of game play referenced in thisinvention, the disclosed continuous type of shooter mechanism can beused with or without adaptation to enhance and improve the operation ofvarious types of table games and toy guns now on the market that involvethe shooting of balls or other projectiles, and which do not havecontinuousor automaticshooting features.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The game apparatus disclosed includes arectangular body structure with built-in ball return chutes, preferablymolded of plastic, of a convenient size for placement on a table or thefloor for play. A pivoting shooter is portably mounted on each end ofthe body structure. Provision for vertical up and down movement of theshooter, although not illustrated in the drawings, may be incorporatedif desired.

A removable threaded shaft is mounted in an elevated position at thecenter of the body structure and two elongated spinner rods havingthreaded holes mating with the shaft threads, are affixed thereto fortwirling when the rods are hit by a ball ejected and propelled by one ofthe two shooters.

Two battery-powered lights or buzzers are provided and mounted, one oneach side at the center of the structure, adjacent to the two ends ofthe shaft support. The purpose of the signal lights or buzzers is toindicate, when activated, which player is the winner of the game.

Other major components of the game include two pivoting shooterscomplete with detachable magazine cartridge for holding a supply ofballs, and a miniature set of bowling pins.

Accordingly, one object of this invention is to provide a fast-moving,table-action game having spinner rods mounted on a threaded shaft whichrotate when hit by a ball released by a shooter.

Another object of the invention is to provide a game apparatus that canbe used to play two different types of table-action games that utilize ashooter mechanism for the projection of a ball which can be directed ata designated target.

Still another object of the invention is to provide, in a table-actiongame or toy gun, a new and improved type of automaticorcontinuous-action shooter mechanism which combines the features ofcocking, trigger release, and movement of a projectile ball fromcartridge into shooting chamber, in one simple control action.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description and claims, and from the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout theseveral viewsReferring to these drawings:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective of the gameapparatus (10). The numeral (12) depicts the shooter which ejects theballs (14) that are loaded in magazine (16) for propelling the ballsagainst the side of the spinner rods (20) causing the rods to rotate onthe threaded shaft (22).

FIG. 2 is a partial longitudinal section of the left end of bodystructure of the game apparatus of FIG. 1, with the shooter removed.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the upright structure of the spinnermechanism as seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of the shooter mechanism as seen at theright end of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the shooter mechanism of FIG. 4, with themagazine removed.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the shooter mechanism, taken along line 6-6of FIG. 4, and

FIG. 7 is an elevation of the right end of the mechanism of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The spinner rod game isgenerally played by two persons who are positioned, one at each end ofthe body structure (10) behind the shooter (12). Prior to starting play,the two magazines (16) loaded with balls (14) are placed in the shooter(12) and the spinner rods (20) are moved to the center of the threadedshaft (22) in contact with the collar spacer (38).

The object or goal of the game is for each player to move his spinnerrod (20) on the right side of the collar spacer (38), bearing the samecolor as his players designated shooter, by hitting it below the levelof shaft (22) with balls (14) ejected by his shooter (12), thus causingthe spinner rod (20) to turn and twirl on the threaded shaft (22) towardthe shaft support (58) on the players right. When the spinner rod (20a)reaches the furthest point of movement, the metal washer (20b) attachedto the spinner rod (20) touches the electrical contact (36) activatingthe players designated light signal (24) or buzzer powered by batter(34). Instead of the metal washer making the contact, the switch, whichmay be mounted on supports (58), consisting of a simple spring-typespring, may be activated by the spinner rod (20). The first playermoving his spinner rod (20) to such contact point and activating thesignal light (24) or buzzer is judged the winner of the game.

In addition to the offensive play action of moving a players spinner rod(20) toward his goal, as outlined above, each player can playdefensively by hitting his opponents spinner rod (20) below the level ofshaft (22) with an ejected ball (14) causing his opponents spinner rod(20) to twirl in the opposite goal direction back toward the center ofthe threaded shaft (22).

The players can play the game by taking individual shots on analternating basis, shooting one ball (14) at a time, or the two playerscan start shooting simultaneously and both continue shooting, recoveringthe balls (14) from the ball return chute (26), reloading the balls (14)in the magazine (16), and replacing the loaded magazine in the shooter(22); repeating this sequence until one of the two players has moved hisspinner rod (20a) to the furthest point on his right thereby activatingthe signal light (24) or buzzer, thus winning the game. i

The body structure has two built-in ball return chutes (26) which taperdown from the center of the body structure (10), one in the direction ofeach shooter (12) thus causing the balls (14) to roll toward the shooterarea where they can be conveniently'recause the balls (14), afterejection and striking the spinner rods to roll toward and into one ofthe ball return chutes (26).

The threaded hole in the spinner rod (20) is generally located a littleoff center longitudinally to provide unequal weight distribution causingthe spinner rod (20) to assume a somewhat vertical position when it hasstopped twirling, thus placing the rod (20) in good hitting range. Thespinner rod (20) may have alternate holes (64) to allow variable hangingon the shaft (22) for regulating twirler action of the spinner rod (20)to provide balanced play action.

The collar spacer (38), not being threaded, is subject to being moved ineither horizontal direction on the shaft (22) by the pushing force ofthe spinner rod (20). The relative position of the collar spacer (38)during play will depend on its contact with the spinner rods (20). Theradius of the horizontal movement of the pivoted shooter (12) issufficient for aiming at and hitting the spinner rod (20) targetsregardless of their location on the shaft (22).

The cam-type shooter mechanism (12) is equipped with a turn-type crankhandle (18) and movement of this handle (18) in a full 360 forwardclockwise circle automatically cocks the shooter (12), triggers theejection of a ball (14) and, in addition, moves another ball (14) in themagazine (16) into the chamber of the shooter (12). This action isexceedingly fast and simple due to the novel application of thespecially designed cam (44) and the related plunger (46), plunger spring(50), and the slide assembly (52) connected thereto.

The plunger collar (48) is secured to the plunger (46) by use ofalocking pin (66). A cotter pin (54), or

other suitable fastener, is used to attach the rear end of the plunger(46) to the front part of the slide assembly (52). The cam (44) ismounted and secured to the center of the cam shaft (42) by use oflocking pin (60). By turning the crank (18) in a forward clockwisedirection, the cam (44) is rotated to a point where it assumes theposition (44a) and simultaneously the slide assembly (52) is moved toits maximum rearward position (52a), at which point the shootermechanism (12) is in full cocked position. Further turning of the crank(18) in a forward clockwise direction rotates the cam (44) through theslotted slide assembly (52) which is then released forward by force ofthe spring (50) causing the plunger (46) to eject the ball (14) from thefront part of the shooter. After ejection of the ball (14), the plunger(46) is in maximum forward position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As thecrank (18) is rotated further in a forward clockwise direction, theplunger (46) is moved rearward allowing an additional ball to drop downfrom the magazine (16) into the shooter (12), where it remains until thecrank (18) is further rotated to again release the plunger (46) ejectingball (14). This rotation cycle provides the automatic shooting feature.

The crank (18) and the positioning knob (40) are readily attached toeither end of the cam shaft (42) to accommodate both right handed andleft handed players. The special design of the positioning knob (40)provides for quick snap-type attachment to the cam shaft (42) which hasa circular slot feature. The crank handle (18) is secured to the camshaft by a set screw or other suitable means. The location of the crank(18) and the positioning knob (40) are those for right handed players.The locations (18a) and (40a) are those which would be used for lefthanded players.

The shooters (12) are mounted on the body structure (10), one at eachend, by inserting the mounting pin (56) in the mounting pin hole (56a)of the body structure (10). The flat type spring (32) is attached toeach side wall of the shooter (12) by use of a rivet (32a) or othersuitable means. The purpose of the springs is to stabilize thehorizontal pivoting and aiming of the shooter (12) to improve accuracyin hitting the spinner rod (20) target. The mounting of the shooter (12)should be such that the ball (14) when ejected will be propelled towardthat part of the spinner rod (20) which hangs below the horizontal shaft(22).

The number of twirls made by a spinner rod when hit by a ball willdepend on the projection force of the shooter and the location of thespinner rod where the ball makes contact. Generally hits made on theextreme end of a spinner rod produce the largest number of twirls. Thusaccuracy in hitting this critical part of the spinner rod is important.For this reason there is some advantage in incorporating a small amountof vertical adjustment in the shooter. This can be done by providing asomewhat loose or coiled mounting pin of the shooter with or without theuse of stabilizing springs, or by other suitable means.

In offensive play, it is important that a players ball hit that part ofhis assigned spinner rod hanging below the shaft, as a hit above theshaft moves his spinner rod in the opposite direction further away fromhis goal. In defensive play, a players ball that hits his opponentsspinner rod above the shaft level, moves his opponents spinner rodcloser to his opponents goal. For these reasons, hitting the spinnerrods above the shaft level should be avoided and this can be controlledby proper mounting of the shooter on the body structure so that theballs when ejected, will normally be projected toward that part of thespinner rod which hangs below the shaft level, when the spinner rod isin vertical position.

To convert the body structure (10) of game apparatus for bowling play isfast and simple. The shaft (22), with the spinner rods (20) thereon, isremoved by flexing the shaft supports (58) to position (580) and thebowling pins (30) are spotted by placement in the deck layoutindentations (28). The shooter (12) on the opposite end of the bodystructure pin indentations (28) is the only one used by the players. Thenumber of balls (14) ejected from the shooter (12) by a player prior toreleasing the shooter (12) to another player for use, will depend onwhether the game played is Duck Pin or Ten Pin Bowling. The players taketurns in acting as pin boy, clearing the playing deck of knocked downpins, respotting the pins, etc.

While a specific embodiment of our invention has been disclosed in theforegoing description, it will be understood that various modificationswithin the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in theart. Such modifications might incorporate use of a small battery-poweredmotor with push-button control for the shooter mechanism in lieu of themanually cranked control mechanism illustrated in the drawings.Therefore, it is intended that no limitation be placed on the inventionexcept as defined by the scope of appended claims.

We claim:

1. A game apparatus comprising an elongated housing having upstandingside walls, end walls and a generally planar deck defining a playingsurface, chute means defined in said deck and being inclined andextending toward at least one of said end walls, said playing surfacebeing inclined toward said chute means, a threaded shaft extending oversaid deck in spaced relation thereto and removably mounted in said sidewalls, at least two spinner means rotatably mounted on said shaft inloosely threaded engagement therewith and adapted to move longitudinallyrelative to said shaft when rotated, pivotably mounted propelling meansextending through each of of said end walls and adapted to propelprojectiles over said deck for striking said spinner means and causingrotation thereof, said chute means including a chute extending adjacenteach of said side walls, each said chute being inclined toward anopposite one of said end walls, and wherein said playing surface issloped from the longitudinal centerline thereof toward each of saidchutes, respectively.

2. A game apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said spinner meanshave a center of gravity offset from the axis of rotation thereof.

3. A game apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said propelling meansare pivotably mounted about a vertical axis, and including resilientstabilizing means mounted on said propelling means adapted to engagesaid end wall for resiliently restraining pivotal movement of saidpropelling means.

4. A game apparatus as defined in claim 1 including signal means adaptedto be actuated upon contact of one of said side walls by said spinnermeans.

5. A game apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means facilitatingremoval of said shaft and said spinner means, whereby pins may bepositioned on said deck adjacent one of said end walls and adapted to beknocked over by projectiles propelled by said propelling means in theuse of said apparatus as a bowling game.

6. A game apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said propelling meanscomprises a propelling chamber, spring-biased plunger means extendinginto said chamber, said plunger means being mounted on a slide having alongitudinally extending slot, and cam means adapted to be firstengageable with said slot for progressively urging said slide againstthe force of said spring and then disengageable from said slot forreleasing said slide whereby said plunger means will be brought forwardinto said chamber under the force of said spring for striking aprojectile positioned in said chamber and propelling it therefrom.

7. A game apparatus comprising an elongated'housing having upstandingside walls, end walls and a generally planar deck defining a playingsurface, chute means defined in said deck and being inclined andextending toward at least one of said end walls, said playing surfacebeing inclined toward said chute means, a threaded shaft extending oversaid deck in spaced relation thereto and removably mounted in said sidewalls, spinner means rotatably mounted on said shaft in loosely threadedengagement therewith and adapted to move longitudinally relative to saidshaft when rotated, pivotably mounted propelling means extending throughat least one of said end walls and adapted to propel pro- 40 jectilesover said deck for striking said spinner means ferent points along thelength of said at least one rod.

1. A game apparatus comprising an elongated housing having upstandingside walls, end walls and a generally planar deck defining a playingsurface, chute means defined in said deck and being inclined andextending toward at least one of said end walls, said playing surfacebeing inclined toward said chute means, a threaded shaft extending oversaid deck in spaced relation thereto and removably mounted in said sidewalls, at least two spinner means rotatably mounted on said shaft inloosely threaded engagement therewith and adapted to move longitudinallyrelative to said shaft when rotated, pivotably mounted propelling meansextending through each of of said end walls and adapted to propelprojectiles over said deck for striking said spinner means and causingrotation thereof, said chute means including a chute extending adjacenteach of said side walls, each said chute being inclined toward anopposite one of said end walls, and wherein said playing surface issloped from the longitudinal centerline thereof toward each of saidchutes, respectively.
 2. A game apparatus as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid spinner means have a center of gravity offset from the axis ofrotation thereof.
 3. A game apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein saidpropelling means are pivotably mounted about a vertical axis, andincluding resilient stabilizing means mounted on said propelling meansadapted to engage said end wall for resiliently restraining pivotalmovement of said propelling means.
 4. A game apparatus as defined inclaim 1 including signal means adapted to be actuated upon contact ofone of said side walls by said spinner means.
 5. A game apparatus asdefined in claim 1 including means facilitating removal of said shaftand said spinner means, whereby pins may be positioned on said deckadjacent one of said end walls and adapted to be knocked over byprojectiles propelled by said propelling means in the use of saidapparatus as a bowling game.
 6. A game apparatus as defined in claim 1wherein said propelling means comprises a propelling chamber,spring-biased plunger means extending into said chamber, said plungermeans being mounted on a slide having a longitudinally extending slot,and cam means adapted to be first engageable with said slot forprogressively urging said slide against the force of said spring andthen disengageable from said slot for releasing said slide whereby saidplunger means will be brought forward into said chamber under the forceof said spring for striking a projectile positioned in said chamber andpropelling it therefrom.
 7. A game apparatus comprising an elongatedhousing having upstanding side walls, end walls and a generally planardeck defining a playing surface, chute means defined in said deck andbeing inclined and extending toward at least one of said end walls, saidplaying surface being inclined toward said chute means, a threaded shaftextending over said deck in spaced relation thereto and removablymounted in said side walls, spinner means rotatably mounted on saidshaft in loosely threaded engagement therewith and adapted to movelongitudinally relative to said shaft when rotated, pivotably mounteDpropelling means extending through at least one of said end walls andadapted to propel projectiles over said deck for striking said spinnermeans and causing rotation thereof, and wherein said spinner meanscomprise at least one rod having plural mounting means offset from themidpoint thereof for selectively mounting said at least one rod on saidshaft at different points along the length of said at least one rod.